Housing

Living conditions for UGA students are similar to those experienced by European students in pensiones or one-star hotels. The John D. Kehoe building is the permanent residential facility of the UGA Studies Abroad Program, and has been recently renovated with modern conveniences. The convent has multiple-bed dormitory rooms and shared bathrooms. A large courtyard provides students an opportunity to gather outdoors to study, draw or tend to personal chores such as laundry. Downstairs is a large kitchen. In an adjoining room, a continental breakfast is served between the hours of 7:00am to 9:00am. There are several coin operated washers for use, but many students choose to wash their clothes by hand in available sinks or tubs. The terrace has several clothes lines to dry your clothes on, which is the only means to do so. There are several common rooms available for studying or reading. The convent doors remain locked but each student is provided with a personal key. Linens are provided and are changed daily by the staff.

Meals

Breakfasts:
A continental breakfast is served every morning at the Kehoe Building. Continental breakfast consists of bread, jam, fruit juice and coffee or tea. Students who want or need additional food for breakfast may buy groceries and keep them in the student refrigerator.

Lunches
Lunch while in Cortona and on field trips will be on your own. In Cortona, there are many options for an inexpensive quick lunch at local grocery stores and bars, as well as numerous full-service restaurants.

For lunch sandwiches are available at most bars and grocery stores in town. A "toast" in Italy is a grilled ham and cheese sandwich, and most bars will offer other choices as well. Any of the grocery stores in town will prepare a sandwich made to your specifications or you can buy your own fruit, cheese and bread. The range of restaurants in Cortona varies from first-class full menu restaurants to more inexpensive places where you can order a pizza or a plate of pasta.

If you would like to go to a full-service restaurant for lunch, the prices will generally be higher and you will pay for service. A cover charge is automatically added to your bill and you are also expected to tip your waiter. Sitting down in a restaurant means possibly waiting times, as food in Italy is cooked only after you order it. In Cortona, smaller family-run restaurants are usually fairly inexpensive and provide an opportunity to make friends with the Cortonese.

Dinners:
Evening meals in Cortona (Monday-Friday) are typical Tuscan fare prepared and served at Tonino's Ristorante, one of the most well-known and respected restaurants in the region. The University of Georgia group gathers for dinner at 7:30pm in the downstairs dining room. The dining room seats approximately 100 people and is serviced by the professional staff of Tonino's. The restaurant has a balcony with a bar on the upper level providing a spectacular view of the Val di Chiana and is a relaxing place for a before or after dinner coffee or aperitif. Students are responsible for their weekend dinners and can choose to prepare their meals or eat at one of the many restaurants in Cortona.

Dinner at Tonino's consists of three courses: the first course (primo piatto) is usually pasta or rice, the second course ( secondo piatto) is usually meat or fish and a selection of salad or vegetables, and dessert (dolce) is usually fruit or cake or pastry. A different second course is served to those who are vegetarians.

Meals While Traveling:
All meals while in Venice are on your own.